The image forever links two of HC's most prolific scorers and certainly two of the best players in the school's long and storied basketball history. On Saturday, Foley '62 and Perry will share center court again as Holy Cross raises their jerseys to the Hart Center rafters during halftime of the Crusaders' 3:30 p.m. game against Bucknell.

Two seasons ago, Holy Cross retired the jerseys of greats George Kaftan, Bob Cousy, Togo Palazzi and Tom Heinsohn on a most memorable day. With the addition of Foley and Perry, each of the six first-team All-Americans in HC history will have his jersey hanging from on high in the Hart Center.

“Holy Cross has such a great tradition of sports and basketball in particular,” Perry said. “You think of all the great players, and to be singled out is very humbling. To be recognized with Jack is great.”

Also during the halftime ceremony, Holy Cross will honor Ron Perry, a two-time national champion at HC in basketball and baseball, the school's former athletic director, and Ronnie's dad, for his outstanding contributions to the college's athletic program. A permanent plaque paying tribute to Ron Perry will be put on display in the Hart Center lobby.

“Holy Cross has been a great place for my whole family,” Ron said. “Ronnie had four great seasons, and to see him do what he did and what he's done with his life afterward has been a real treat, and to be on the court with him (Saturday) will be a real treat for me. It's special.”

Ronnie is the Crusaders' all-time leading scorer with 2,524 points. He broke Foley's record of 2,185 points, achieved in just three seasons (1959-62). That total currently ranks third, behind Rob Feaster (2,224).

Foley is a Worcester original who starred for the late Charlie Bibaud at Assumption Prep and went on to do the same at Holy Cross. His nickname says it all.

“As many years as I've been in the game, I still consider him one of the three or four best shooters of the basketball that I've ever seen,” said George Blaney, a Holy Cross teammate of Foley's. “He was truly remarkable.”

Blaney, regarded as a very good defender, used to play Foley one-on-one every day before practice.

“I would start out winning, 8-0,” Blaney recalled, “then he'd rip off 10 straight points. I don't think I ever beat him in all the years we played.”

The 6-foot-3 Foley was a great jumper who would go straight up, fully extend his arms and shoot at the height of his jump, Blaney said. He ranked among the nation's top scorers in each of his three seasons and “he did it without taking layups,” Blaney said. “It was all jump shots.”

Foley was the first player in school history to average more than 20 points per game for a season three times, and he graduated with the two highest scoring games in HC history — a 56-point effort against Connecticut and a 55-point performance against Colgate. No one could stop him.

Blaney recalled a game at Providence during Foley's sophomore year when Providence played a box-and-one with Lenny Wilkens marking Foley.

“Without ever putting the ball on the floor the entire night, he had 27 points against them,” Blaney said.

Blaney also had the privilege of coaching Ronnie Perry.

“He was the epitome of what you would love your son to be like,” Blaney said. “He was so good in so many areas.”

Blaney said he hopes to be at the Hart Center for Saturday's festivities.

Ronnie is considered one of the finest student-athletes Holy Cross has ever produced. He led the Crusaders to three postseason appearances, was a three-time Academic All-American and, like his dad, also starred in baseball.

Ronnie, also a great passer and defender, graduated as the school's all-time leader in field goals made and free-throw percentage. His 46-point performance against UConn at the Boston Garden in his junior year stands out as one of his numerous career highlights. But one of Ronnie's most vivid memories is of a preseason game against an all-star team called Athletes in Action his freshman year.

“I just remember the excitement,” Ronnie said. “I remember the game was sold out, and I thought, ‘Wow! This is great.' Things went well that night, and it's like we were off and rolling.”

You could say that. Ronnie averaged 23 points in 1976-77, tops among all freshmen in the nation, and helped the Crusaders to their first NCAA appearance in 21 years.

Perry averaged more than 20 points in each of his four seasons, including a career-high 25 a game as a junior.

Both Foley and Perry played before the days of the 3-point shot.

Ron Perry '54 has devoted more than half of his distinguished life to Holy Cross. He served as athletic director from 1972-98 and since “retiring” has kept an office in the HC field house while serving as special assistant to the president.

Ron, the point guard for HC's 1954 NIT champion team and the star pitcher for the Crusaders' 1952 College World Series team, was the first athlete in modern collegiate history to win national championships in two sports.

“To have my dad recognized on the same day will be great,” Ronnie said. “I'm looking forward to it. It will be special.”

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